Dominick Tamburrino is a skilled tradesman. He is also an artist. You might think these two things are different, but they are in fact the same.
A senior at Brewster High School, Dominick started welding just last year, but has gained an education and experience through the program at PNW BOCES.
“I knew I wanted to go into the trades. I’ve seen so many people just impulsively go to college, pick a random major and never get a job in that field. And I always liked building things, working on my grandmother's 4 H horse farm, building fences and sheds. I also like to forge–like a blacksmith;once I made a boot jack out of horseshoes for my uncle who has muscular dystrophy. So, I picked welding and it just clicked. I love it.”
He already has his OSHA 10 certification.
“It’s the main reason I went to BOCES–I’ll be 5 years ahead of the game versus people just starting out. I’d love to work in ship building. Maybe go to an apprenticeship school; go to work in a shipyard, or a trade school to learn more. I want to make sure it’s right though. I don’t want to jump into the next thing too fast.”
So far, Dominick has learned all the basics–Stick welding, tig welding, Mig welding.
“Now I am on to Aluminum Tig,” he said, “That’s harder because there are no color patterns–you have to watch for the puddles and move the puddle with the torch and add filler wire and bulk it up to make it strong, the best thing to look for is making sure the puddle looks like a mirror when you add filler.”
In addition to the practical lessons, his teachers have been true mentors.
“Mr. G has been a great supporter, he helped me pick it up so quick, Mr. Stanford owned two underwater welding companies so he has lots of experience. Mr. M was also a huge supporter. He reminds me of my brother.”
Last year, Dominick got so good at welding, “Mr. G” asked him to make a carry-all frame for his tractor. This year, it’s been all about the trophies.
“Mr. Simpson, the auto body teacher, had seen some of my work before and was impressed. I had made planes and birds out of nuts and screws and spark plugs as Christmas gifts for family. He came up to me and asked if I wanted a challenge and told me about the car show. I ended up making 31 trophies for the show held at BOCES. The Trans Ams and Camaros of the Hudson Valley put the show on–it was a fundraiser for BOCES and the SkillsUSA program, which helps kids getting into trades get scholarships–a really awesome program. I grew up going to car shows with my dad and I always saw these plastic rinkydink trophies going to beautiful cars so when I got the opportunity to make trophies out of scrap steel and car parts I was all In. Each of the trophies was different. Not one was the same, some had the same premise but none the same. It was a creative process. One of the winners even asked to have his picture taken with me.”
